Encuentro Cafe

14 ratings
$$ • Cafe
Reported to have a gluten-free menu
Reported GF menu options: Arepas
Safety Rating
13 ratings

As rated by the community

3941 Mason St
San Diego, CA 92110
From the owner

On safety—Clean surfaces, pans to avoid cross contamination

Collections
In 2 Public Collections

Most Recent Reviews


Gluten Intolerant

Overall Rating

Review


Wow, delish!! The arepas are wonderful, I had carne asada with avocado and tomato. All 3 sauces are homemade and gf/df. The side dish (fried plantains) are from a shared fryer so don’t order them. Staff is knowledgeable and the outdoor patio is lovely!

Safety


How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Quality & Quantity


How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Updated 3 days ago read full review

Symptomatic Celiac

Overall Rating

Safety


How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Quality & Quantity


Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Updated 1 week ago read full review

Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


I ordered the vegan arepa (black beans and avocado) without plantains. The plantains are made in a shared fryer so I asked to sub something in their place. They didn’t seem to have any substitutions so the server recommended that I get extra avocado in my arepa. Be sure to tell them you do not want the plantains because had I not asked about them being in a shared fryer, I think they would’ve still brought them on my plate despite me sharing my gluten “allergy” (celiac). Overall the arepas were yummy and I liked how many options there were. Super cute patio as well.

Safety


How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

Quality & Quantity


How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Good

Updated 2 months ago read full review

Gluten-Free Features

  • Arepas
  • Gluten-Free Menu

Categories

  • Breakfast
  • Brunch
  • Cafe
  • Dinner
  • Dog Friendly
  • Healthy
  • Kid Friendly
  • Lunch
  • Outdoor Seating
  • Takeout
  • Vegan Friendly
Information contained in this listing is based on reports by the community. Please verify all information directly with the establishment.

Photos


Carne Asada Arepa with avocado and tomato. All 3 sauces are homemade, GF/DF!
Arepas Menu
Carnitas Arepa
Carnitas Arepa
Pelua (Beef) Arepa
Pelua (Beef) Arepa
Prices for a meal for two. Both left very full.
Menu with gf markers(all arepas are gf)
Add a photo View all photos

More Reviews


Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


Delicious! Ordered the arepa without plantains (fried in shared fryer). Server was knowledgeable about gluten free items and was able to guide me through modifications.

Safety


How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Quality & Quantity


Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Updated 4 months ago read full review

Symptomatic Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


Beautiful atmosphere, kind and knowledgeable staff, delicious food! I’m a very sensitive, symptomatic celiac, so I’m always nervous going to non-dedicated facilities but they were very accommodating and the food was great! Amazing cocktails too! Highly recommend

Safety


How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Quality & Quantity


Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Updated 4 months ago read full review

Overall Rating

Review


Based on reviews here we went to this restaurant. I told them that I found them through FMGF and the hostess immediately said they aren't celiac safe. FYI!

Safety


How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Not at all

Safety Feature Ratings
  • Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions

Quality & Quantity


Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

Owner Response


Hi Cristy;

Our apologies for the miscommunication with one of our employees. She was a new addition to our staff and clearly didn’t managed the information properly.

Our arepas are made of 100% corn flour and we only add salt and water to it. Not only that, but most of the fillings for the arepas are gluten free, aside from any containing anything fried, such as the plantains. Which means thay are also celiac save.

We really apologize that this event occurred in the middle of the training and misinformation can occur. We would like to invite you to try one of the best GF breakfast in town.

Updated 8 months ago read full review

Hashimoto's

Overall Rating

Review


Wonderful! Nice, covered outdoor dining and pleasant staff. Good assessment of corn flour arepa dishes. Excellent coffee. We will return often.

Safety


How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings
  • Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions

Quality & Quantity


Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other


Other Characteristics
  • Good for breakfast/brunch
  • Good for kids
  • Good for lunch
  • Good for takeout
  • Good selection of healthy options
  • Good vegetarian options
  • Offers outdoor seating
Updated 10 months ago read full review

Symptomatic Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


🌾🚫 Gluten free items are marked on the menu.

Everyone I spoke to at the restaurant was very familiar with gluten free precautions and had an understanding of Celiac. They recommended the arepas.

All arepas 🫓 are available gluten free, aside from any containing anything fried, such as the plantains.

There is only 1 fryer and the plantains are not Celiac friendly due to gluten cross contamination.

I had the carnitas (shredded pork) and the pelua (shredded beef) arepas 🫓

There are 3 salsas available that are all gluten free. I’m not a fan of spicy, and the tomato-based salsa was recommended to me. It wasn’t spicy and really added to the great taste of the arepas.

These were my first ever arepas and they were absolutely delicious! So delicious that I ate one and ordered another!

🐶 Dog friendly outdoor seating is available.

Safety


How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

Safety Feature Ratings
  • Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions

Quality & Quantity


Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other


Other Characteristics
  • Dog friendly
  • Good for breakfast/brunch
  • Good for dinner
  • Good for lunch
  • Good for takeout
  • Offers outdoor seating
Updated 10 months ago read full review

Overall Rating

Review


Amazing arepas! The hash brown Patties are cross contaminated in the fryer so they grilled them for me instead :)

Quality & Quantity


How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Updated 11 months ago read full review

Symptomatic Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


Delicious GF food.

Safety


How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Quality & Quantity


How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Updated 1 year ago read full review

Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


Excellent arepas! Lots of gluten free options. Would definitely go back!

Safety


How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Quality & Quantity


Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Updated 1 year ago read full review

Symptomatic Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


The carnitas arepa was DELICIOUS and about the size of a hamburger. The 3 salsas they bring are amazing. Great food and great service.

Safety


How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Quality & Quantity


Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other


Other Characteristics
  • Good for breakfast/brunch
  • Good for lunch
  • Good vegetarian options
  • Offers outdoor seating
Updated 1 year ago read full review

Overall Rating

Review


The arepas are delicious! The menu is marked gf for the arepas. The main plate is not marked gf but there was safe for me.

Safety


How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Quality & Quantity


Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Updated 1 year ago read full review

Symptomatic Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


Venezuela's food, naturally gluten free arepasade from corn bread. The have gluten free items marked on the menu and are knowledgeable on the ingredients. Phenomenal service. Great food, large portions. Offers indoor and outdoor seating, pet friendly outdoors. I ordered the shredded chicken arepa and the carne asada arepa. Both were delicious and they came out with three sauces. I am celiac and did not react from contamination. Highly recommend.

Safety


How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings
  • Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
  • Staff will clean kitchen space or change gloves if asked

Quality & Quantity


Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other


Other Characteristics
  • Dog friendly
  • Good for lunch
  • Good for takeout
  • Good selection of healthy options
  • Good vegan options
  • Offers outdoor seating
Updated 2 years ago read full review

More Info